TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Hudbay Minerals Inc. says its planned new open-pit copper mine in southern Arizona mountains near Tucson has cleared the final permitting step with U.S. Forest Service's approval of the projects operations plan.
The Tonto-based company's announcement Thursday follows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' issuance of a key water permit for the Rosemont Mine on March 8.
According to Hudbay's announcement, "Rosemont is now a fully permitted, shovel-ready copper project and we look forward to developing this world-class asset."
Hudbay says the mine will eventually create 500 jobs at the mine after spending $1.9 billion on construction.
Environmentalists have opposed the project for years, contending it will damage water sources and scar the land, while Hudbay has said the project will include support for conservation, cultural and recreational projects.
